Industry’s first DSP with on-chip flash memory available in volume

Texas Instruments has announced volume availability of the industry’s first digital signal processor (DSP) with on-chip flash memory. The device, TMS320F240, is targeted at motor, motion and process control applications.

With the flash-based ’F240 DSP, motor designers can program quickly to flash memory and then transfer that code to a more cost-effective ROM-based DSP for volume production. Motor manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Electric Corp. plan to use the device to speed time-to-market.

The ’F240 DSP is pin- and code-compatible with TI’s TMS320C240 ROM-based DSP of the TMS320C24x generation, a product line dedicated to embedded control applications such as motor and motion control, appliances, industrial automation, power supplies, automotive and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

TI also has disclosed that it is sampling two other flash-based DSPs within its DSP controller roadmap. The TMS320F241 and TMS320F243 are the only DSPs in the industry integrating both flash memory and Control Area Networking (CAN) module. This bus is emerging as the leading bus for industrial control. With the CAN interface, these two devices support complex industrial applications that require control of multiple motors and inter-system communication. The ’F243 also integrates an expansion bus for the use of additional memory.

Based on TI’s T320C2xLP DSP core executing 20 MIPS (million instructions per second), the ’C24x DSP controllers include a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with an 850-ns typical conversion time and a dedicated Event Manager that supports multiple pulse-width modulation (PWM) channels and dead-band logic. These functions and others allow designers to make use of the DSP’s high performance to reduce or eliminate mechanical linkages and electronic components, achieving lighter-weight, quieter end products with lower overall system costs.

TI offers a full complement of system-level development tools, including an optimized DSP compiler, IEEE 1149.1 JTAG-based emulation tools and evaluation module (EVM) boards. TI also provides high-level programming options, as well as compact, ready-to-produce reference designs integrating DSP control and power electronics.

The TMS320F240 DSP is available in volume from TI and authorized distributors. The TMS320F241 and TMS320F243 DSPs are sampling.

Suggested resale pricing in U.S. dollars in 10K quantity.

For complete information, order TMS320F240 Data Sheet (SPRS042B), TMS320F241 Data Sheet (SPRS063) and TMS320F243 Data Sheet (SPRS064). See Related Product Information.